Page 341 of The Bonding Games: Part 1

“Yeah. Just . . . ummm . . .” The tips of his ears redden, and he readjusts the raven strands of his hair self-consciously to try and hide them. “I’m just not exactly . . . uhh . . .”

I scrutinise him, studying his expression. Before realising what he’s trying to say. “You don’t have to undress, Alby. You could just dip your feet in—or you don’t have to go in at all. But no one would judge you here. Besides, you may not believe me, but you’ve never had anything wrong with you, and you’re definitely not ugly, okay? Not at the start of the Games, and not now. But I’ll tell you now that I can definitely see the strength in your body in recent days, and that’s the honest truth. You’ve done so well.” I add the last bit because I know he needs to hear that, and it is true, but even when he was thinner, nothing ever looked weird or unhealthy about him; he’s just naturally slimmer, and it pains me to know he’s been made to feel like that’s not okay.

We’ll help him get his vengeance for that one day. One day very soon.

“N-no! I mean—I want to! I just . . . yeah . . .”

“Seriously. No one cares what you look like, Alby. It doesn’t matter.”

His flush expands as he casts a nervous, inconspicuous glance over at Ezla, who’s still sat at the table even though she’s finished eating.

“Ah.” I smile a little in understanding. “Don’t worry, you’re a total catch.” I jokingly wink at him but lower my voice with more seriousness as I continue, placing a hand on his shoulder and leaning closer. “You’re a great guy, Alby, and if she can’t see that, that’s her loss. But—and don’t tell Tate this because he’ll lose it—I think she might have a soft spot for you.” And with some jealousy of my own that I suppress, I acknowledge that as the truth I know it to be.

But something tells me it has a lot less to do with favouritism and more to do with whatever is going on with Ezla. The secrets she keeps.

It’s hard to get a read on her, but, as proven earlier, I’ve not missed the way she hates any one of us appearing above her in any possible way, and I think it’s pretty obvious Alby is the smallest threat in her eyes, largely because of how submissive he is. And whatever has caused her to be like this . . . A chill slinks through me as I wonder who’s hurting her.

I’ve not forgotten Cooper’s observation, and I know my brothers haven’t either. And when I look at that luminous crimson scar . . . there’s just something about it . . . something bugging me that I can’t put my finger on . . .

“R-really?” Alby whispers, darting another glance over at Ezla, interrupting my train of thought—which I pin for another time, determined to get to the bottom of that.

I will protect my Bonded. Whether she likes it or not.

“Who else’s head has she be in, Alby? Tell me.”

“I . . . I’m not sure . . .”

“No one’s,” I answer for him. “Still no one’s. The others would’ve mentioned something like that, either by bragging or at least a passing mention from Cooper. She’s definitely not used the bond to speak to me. I know that means something—she felt most comfortable with you. Clearly still does, I’d guess.”

His throat shifts with his swallow before he nods, a small, shy smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah . . . yeah, it’s made me feel really special . . .”

“And she called you by your name.”

Okay. It’s harder to keep the envy from my tone then.

He stiffens slightly.

“I’m sorry—”

“No!” he cuts me off hurriedly, hazel eyes huge. “No, I get it. I’ve felt . . . jealousy I never felt before Ezla. I know when . . . when you want someone—well, her—that it . . . it . . .”

Seeing he’s struggling to put his thoughts into words, I smile and nod to show him I understand what he’s trying to say, and, giving his shoulder a squeeze, I’m about to speak again when Tiger bellows, “Hurry up, you two!”

I look over my shoulder. “Coming!” Then back at Alby. “You joining us, then?”

With a shaky breath, he replies, “Yeah.”

Sneaking a glance at Ezla before I steer him to the steaming water, I find her now holding the stem of her champagne flute, staring off into space.

I hesitate.

I want her in there with us. I want to be with her, to hold her, to get to know more about the woman I’m quite certain I love, and yet who I barely know other than what’s on the surface.

But would she refuse?

I’m distracted when Alby starts to quiver like a leaf in a storm beside me while he undresses, my attention shifting back to him to ensure he doesn’t fall into a panic. Fortunately, he’s fine, and soon we’re all stripped down and in the tub together, which actually isn’t as awkward as it may sound. In fact, it isn’t awkward at all.

My eyes catch on the luminous pink bubbling liquid in Cooper’s glass then as he takes a sip, and I narrow my stare at it when I find one in my brother’s hand too. “What the hell is that?”